Comments on: Swine Flu in PWC Schools

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:06:26 +0000

The teacher who thinks someone is monitoring the number of VGLAs is just simply wrong. No one is monitoring the number of VGLAs. In fact, the results of the VGLAs are reported as if they are SOLs (the paper will say 95% of the students at ABC School passed the SOLs). Teachers are told they are expected to build WINNING portfolios. This is the biggest fraud and is hurtful to children with disabilities, who are in effect not measured, since their measure is not true. Parents are starting to catch on and report stories, like the mother of a 4th grader who tests extremely low in math on standardized tests, but who scored PASS ADVANCED on the 4th grade VGLA. Or the child with severe dysgraphia who pass the VGLA for writing. Or the mother who viewed her child’s perfolio and saw erasures and full sentences she knew her child couldn’t possibly have written. These students need instruction - they do not need their teachers scrapbooking portfolios to make them look at grade level when they clearly are not.

By: Black Saint

Black Saint — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:22:23 +0000

We can thank Mexico and the invading horde of Illegal Aliens for millions of defaults on Sub-Prime loans that threw the world in an depression.

Thank them for sending millions of Criminals and their uneducated peons to American to prey on its citizens and soak up Billions in Welfare paid for by American tax payers.

Thank them for taking our jobs and driving down our standard of living!

Thank them for the billions in drugs they send across our borders each year!

Thank them for destroying our ER rooms, Schools, Culture, Environment.

Thank them for Killing, Robbing. Raping, & Assaulting 10,s of thousands of Americans each year.

Thank them for bringing their third world diseases, corruption and infecting our Politicians with the same corruption prevalent in their countries! An corruption that makes our Politicians ignore our Constitution against invasion, the rule of Law and their Oath of office!

Thank them for turning the USA into the same type culture they have created, build & sustained for 100,s of years in their own countries an Culture of Crime, Corruption, Poverty, Misery and Cruelly!

Thank them for waving their Mexican flags & Demanding their Rights while telling us what an great country Mexico is and how they will kill all the gringos when they complete the colonization of this Nation!

Now we can thank them for infecting the world with Mexican Swine flu!

By: Tillie

Tillie — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:41:36 +0000

Thank you all for the info re the capital letters. Guess I’m out of the educational loop. Now I know.

By: Come to the Dark Side We have Cookies

Come to the Dark Side We have Cookies — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:53:55 +0000

Tillie -

VGLA = Virginia Grade Level Assessment

IEP = Individualized Education Program

By: KFD

KFD — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:14:12 +0000

OHI= Other Health Impairments, as stated above.

By: Tillie

Tillie — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:18:24 +0000

Please translate also:

OHI

By: KFD

KFD — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:20:46 +0000

One other note of explanation before someone hops on the OHI classification out of a lack of understanding, this is not a classification where the district could qualify any child in order to get them into special ed. OHI is for health impairments that do not fall into one of the other categories, I had an OHI student who had a rare disease somewhat like MS that affected his mental functioning. Also severe ADHD is sometimes classified here. It’s also valuable to know that just having a medical condition does not qualify a student for special ed, the student MUST experience effects from the condition that impact academic functioning. The point in the IEP is to address and counteract the academic effects of any disability through planning for accomodations that can help the student increase achievement.

By: Tillie

Tillie — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:38:19 +0000

Please translate:

VGLA

IEP

By: KFD

KFD — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:01:36 +0000

Anonymous Teacher, how will all these failing students take VGLA without having an IEP? Will all of these students suddenly be assigned to special ed rosters? Not likely. The VGLA situation is being seriously distorted. Again, I’m the first one to criticize when deserved, this isn’t one of those times.
Since you want us to mark your words, how would we find out if what you are suggesting comes true? Should we all watch for a spike in special ed numbers? What you are suggesting is just not possible, and may I ask what you teach? If I had to guess I would say PE, Art, Music or one of the other subjects that has no involvement with SOLs as even general ed teachers know how VGLA assignment works and that only special ed students are eligible.
I can assure you that I have no desire to fudge numbers or taint appearances.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:06:46 +0000

Right on Greg! However I would like to comment on the VGLA discussion. As a teacher, I feel that we are turning into China and Europe with this VGLA crap. They only count the top half or third of their test scores. VGLA is in essence doing the same thing-taking the kids that fail and *cheating the system*.

Mark my word, next year, they take the kids that failed this year’s tests and try to pass them through VGLA. Oh the miracles, our test scores will go up….duh.

What a load of crap this is.

By: chameleon

chameleon — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:19:44 +0000

pinko…the ugly, fat, foul-mouthed pig is saying we are picking on the poor boy who has swine flu on the dumb (dump) site.

I dont recall such a thing, only that it’s highly probable he was hispanic. Didnt see anyone call him illegal either.

By: Cheetah

Cheetah — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:15:45 +0000

Recent news says the vaccine for swine flu is currently being produced, may be a while before we see it in the states. will probably be given to people who are more at risk. If I were going to be around a bunch of illegals I would get it but as it is I stay away from those parts of town i.e. walmart, route 1, most fast food joints, verizon ditch diggers, etc…so I dont have much to worry about I suppose.

By: DPortM

DPortM — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:00:36 +0000

Rumor at Stonewall Jackson High School is that there are four unreported cases of swine flu…

By: KFD

KFD — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:45:57 +0000

I like the idea of requiring documentation in order to qualify for free and reduced lunch. It’s unlikely that a large portion of children would go hungry without the program as the lunches aren’t prohibitively expensive anyway and no teacher would allow a child to starve (not to mention most districts provide a substitute like a cheese sandwich to any child who doesn’t have lunch money on a given day).
There are some bigger issues with the free/reduced lunch qualification that I have discussed in greater detail at this link:

http://virginiavirtucon.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/if-its-thursday-in-u-s-schools-it-must-be-meatloaf-for-lunch/

but basically, reducing the numbers of children receiving free and reduced lunch would free up money in the school budget at the local level, but would cost the schools bunches in federal dollars, as federal programs and funding are based largely on the number of students receiving free and reduced lunch. To restructure the free/reduced system so as to save local dollars would require a district to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on the federal hand in education. I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all, I think we could all do a lot better with localized control and decision making and a stronger school board and parent alliance, even if that did mean less money, but few agree with me.

By: The Patriot (Got E-Verify?)

The Patriot (Got E-Verify?) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:08:27 +0000

No more free or reduced lunches unless the parents provide proof of legal status. Afterall, shouldn’t taxpayer benefits only be going to legal residents? Let us see how many of these parents are willing to step up with proper documentation. It should be a very simple task for those people not trying to hide anything.

By: Cheetah

Cheetah — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:47:21 +0000

amazing numbers provided by anon,

in almost all cases the free/reduced percentage seems to track with hispanic students.

interestingly enough stonewall where the higher percentage is white students have a lower overall percentage of free/reduced lunch than the rest..

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:21:01 +0000

Here’s some more interesting data on the schools in the 20109 zip code. See where your tax dollars are going and to whom.

(MANASSAS VA)

(Source: 2005 data from U.S. Dept. of Education National Center for Education Statistics.
Please note that these listings are based on the NCES “Common Core of Data”
and therefore only include information about public schools.)
STONEWALL JACKSON HIGH
8820 RIXLEW LN
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-365-2900

Type: High School
Start Grade: 9th Grade
End Grade: 12th Grade
# Students 2353
# Full-time Teachers 135
Student/Teacher Ratio 17.4
Student Demographics
Hispanic 648 27.5%
White 976 41.5%
Black 483 20.5%
Native American 6 0.3%
Asian 201 8.5%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 437 18.6%
Reduced Lunch 173 7.4%
Free or Reduced Lunch 610 25.9%

——————————————————————————–

STONEWALL MIDDLE
10100 LOMOND DR
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-361-3185

Type: Middle School
Start Grade: 6th Grade
End Grade: 8th Grade
# Students 964
# Full-time Teachers 61
Student/Teacher Ratio 15.8
Student Demographics
Hispanic 344 35.7%
White 338 35.1%
Black 214 22.2%
Native American 0 0%
Asian 51 5.3%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 294 30.5%
Reduced Lunch 98 10.2%
Free or Reduced Lunch 392 40.7%

——————————————————————————–

C. A. SINCLAIR ELEM.
7801 GARNER DR
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-361-4811

Type: Primary School
Start Grade: Prekindergarten
End Grade: 5th Grade
# Students 567
# Full-time Teachers 38
Student/Teacher Ratio 14.9
Student Demographics
Hispanic 236 41.6%
White 117 20.6%
Black 149 26.3%
Native American 3 0.5%
Asian 45 7.9%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 244 43%
Reduced Lunch 80 14.1%
Free or Reduced Lunch 324 57.1%

——————————————————————————–

GEORGE P. MULLEN ELEM.
8000 RODES DR
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-330-0427

Type: Primary School
Start Grade: Prekindergarten
End Grade: 5th Grade
# Students 719
# Full-time Teachers 50
Student/Teacher Ratio 14.4
Student Demographics
Hispanic 280 38.9%
White 192 26.7%
Black 201 28%
Native American 2 0.3%
Asian 33 4.6%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 314 43.7%
Reduced Lunch 75 10.4%
Free or Reduced Lunch 389 54.1%

——————————————————————————–

SUDLEY ELEM.
9744 COPELAND DR
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-361-3444

Type: Primary School
Start Grade: Prekindergarten
End Grade: 5th Grade
# Students 535
# Full-time Teachers 33
Student/Teacher Ratio 16.2
Student Demographics
Hispanic 205 38.3%
White 252 47.1%
Black 50 9.3%
Native American 2 0.4%
Asian 14 2.6%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 104 19.4%
Reduced Lunch 43 8%
Free or Reduced Lunch 147 27.5%

——————————————————————————–

SUELLA G. ELLIS ELEM.
8800 RIXLEW LN.
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-365-0287

Type: Primary School
Start Grade: Prekindergarten
End Grade: 5th Grade
# Students 547
# Full-time Teachers 35
Student/Teacher Ratio 15.6
Student Demographics
Hispanic 204 37.3%
White 157 28.7%
Black 119 21.8%
Native American 3 0.5%
Asian 38 6.9%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 168 30.7%
Reduced Lunch 55 10.1%
Free or Reduced Lunch 223 40.8%

——————————————————————————–

WEST GATE ELEM.
8031 URBANNA RD
MANASSAS, VA 20109
703-368-4404

Type: Primary School
Start Grade: Prekindergarten
End Grade: 5th Grade
# Students 631
# Full-time Teachers 47
Student/Teacher Ratio 13.4
Student Demographics
Hispanic 418 66.2%
White 99 15.7%
Black 83 13.2%
Native American 1 0.2%
Asian 8 1.3%
Special Programs
Migrant Students 0%
Free Lunch 317 50.2%
Reduced Lunch 108 17.1%
Free or Reduced Lunch 425 67.4%

——————————————————————————–

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:13:05 +0000

Cheetah said on 11 Jun 2009 at 9:40 pm: Flag comment
drugs suck period, no matter where they come from

Agree. MOST of the drugs entering this country come from guess where?
Hint: first letter of the country begins with a M and last letter is an O.

By: Cheetah

Cheetah — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:40:53 +0000

yeah,

that’s right tomatoes only I grow my own so I dont buy any at the store anymore (well, maybe the farmers market). Buy locally to prevent myself from getting anything nasty from down there.

drugs suck period, no matter where they come from

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:36:50 +0000

Cheetah said on 11 Jun 2009 at 1:10 pm: Flag comment

forgot to add about h1n1 (swine flu) it did come from mexico and now it’s a pandemic according the WHO. Thanks for the gift mexico, what an amazing country! they provide illegal aliens and swine flu! nice…

Don’t forget the tomatoes and drugs.